Christian Atheist Part 1

This past weekend, Jonathan began his final series at Eastside by talking about something really important to his heart ... living out what we say we believe in.

Here are the verses/thoughts that stood out to me in the message...

2 Timothy 3

5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

Revelation 3

15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other!

16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!

I can be just as lukewarm as the next “Jesus-follower”! I pray that God will reveal and remove any “religiosity” in my life that is an act and replace it with His Holy Spirit ... using the same power that raised Jesus from the dead to revive and renew and reignite my heart for Him, my passion for Him. I pray He does the same thing in your life and in your heart.

3 John

Take a few minutes to read 3 John ... trust me, you can do it. You can read it in your own Bible or find it online here.

Here is the verse/thought that stood out to me...

3 John

11 Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.

It is so easy to let the opinions and attitudes of others (friends, family, co-workers, neighbors) influence the way we think. Take the advice John offers his friend ... filter your influences, follow the good and avoid the bad.

2 John

Take a few minutes to read 2 John. It’s not as hard as it sounds ... it’s only thirteen verses long. You can read it in your own Bible or find it online here.

Here is the verse/thought that stood out to me...

2 John

4 How happy I was to meet some of your children and find them living according to the truth, just as the Father commanded.

“Live according to the truth” ... the truth of God’s love and Word and grace, the truth of Jesus’ life and resurrection and grace ... that sounds like a good motto for my journey.

1 John 5

Take a few minutes to read 1 John 5. You can read it in your own Bible or find it online here.

Here is the verse/thought that stood out to me...

1 John 5

21 Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.

Set aside some time this weekend and take an inventory of your life ... your time, your thoughts, your finances. Is there anything in there that might be taking God’s place in your heart? If so, do everything you can to get rid of it ... it’s not worth keeping.

1 John 4

Take a few minutes to read 1 John 4. You can read it in your own Bible or find it online here.

Here are the verses/thoughts that stood out to me...

1 John 4

10 This is real love - not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

11 Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.

12 No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.

I love the possibility of that thought ... that people can experience God’s love when they see me expressing it to others. This is all the more important when you consider that a lot of people haven’t chosen to accept God’s love because they really don’t understand it.

In Over Your Head Part 2

This past weekend, I used the story of Mary (Martha’s sister) to remind us where God wants to lead us on our journey in this life. Take a minute to reread the beautiful picture of how she brought honor to Jesus.

John 12

2 A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him.

3 Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.

Jesus wants to lead us to a place of humble sacrifice ... a place where He can use us to make an eternal difference in the lives of others (reread Mark 14:9). This can only happen when we set aside some really good distractions so we can experience the “one thing worth being concerned about” (reread Luke 10:38-42). Are you spending 10 minutes a day “listening at the feet of Jesus”?

1 John 3

Take a few minutes to read 1 John 3. You can read it in your own Bible or find it online here.

Here are the verses/thoughts that stood out to me...

1 John 3

18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.

19 Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God.

It is always good for me to be reminded that actions speak louder than words.

1 John 2

Take a few minutes to read 1 John 2. You can read it in your own Bible or find it online here.

Here are the verses/thoughts that stood out to me...

1 John 2

15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.

16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.

17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

There are a lot of things that satan tries to entice us with in this world; but we need to maintain an eternal perspective. The achievements and pleasures of this world are all temporary. A true, personal relationship with God ... maintained through obedience to His word (see 1 John 2:5) ... is eternal.

1 John 1

On Tuesday, we finished John’s account of Jesus’ life, so I am going to begin reading through some of the letters John wrote to other Jesus followers. Today, I read 1 John 1. I invite you to open your Bible and read it too or find it online here.

Here are the verses/thoughts that stood out to me...

1 John 1

8 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.

9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

My prayer for you is that you would have a healthy, on-going relationship with God. Confession is an important ingredient for maintaining the “healthy” part of the relationship ... it helps restore the intimacy that sin disrupts. Take a few minutes right now to ask God to search your heart and reveal any sin that you might be ignoring or trying to hide. Then, take some time to confess that sin and ask God to forgive your sin and renew your relationship.

In Over Your Head Part 1

This past weekend, Jonathan began a brand new series entitled, “In Over Your Head”, by talking about the fact that good people don’t go to heaven, forgiven people do.

Here is the verse/thought that stood out to me in the message...

Titus 3

3 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.

4 But - “When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love,

5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.

6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.

7 Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.”

We can’t save ourselves ... only God can. Thankfully, He did ... through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. If you have experienced God’s grace, I encourage you to live in confidence today because God loves you and has taken care of the biggest problem you will ever face. If you haven’t, please email me (jeff@myeastside.cc). I would love to talk with you about how you can experience that same grace and live in that same confidence.

John 21

Today, I am read John 21. I invite you to open your Bible and read along with me or find it online here.

Here are the verses/thoughts that stood out to me...

John 21

18 “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.”

19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”

20 Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved - the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?”

21 Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”

22 Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”

Just before this, Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him three times ... a process of restoring Peter from the three times Peter denied being associated with Jesus the night Jesus was arrested. Now, Jesus is teaching Peter one of the most challenging elements of following Him. Just like with Peter, Jesus offers us grace; but He also asks us to surrender ... to surrender our plans, our dreams. My prayer for you is that, like Peter, you will surrender to the plans Jesus has for you (trusting that His plans are better than your plans) and follow Him no matter where He leads you.

John 20

Yesterday, we read through John’s account of Jesus’ crucifixion. Today, I invite you to read his account of when he first knew that Jesus was alive. As you do, I pray you are reminded of the joy you experienced when you first believed ... the hope you experienced when you first encountered grace ... the love you experienced when you first understood what it meant for the tomb to be empty. Happy Easter!

John 20

1 Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.

2 She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

3 Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb.

4 They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.

5 He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in.

6 Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there,

7 while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings.

8 Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed -

9 for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead.

John 19

In preparation for what we call “Good Friday”, the day Jesus died on a cross for our sins. I would simply ask you to read through John’s account of that experience. I will reserve comment because there is nothing I can add; but I would encourage you to key on Jesus’ words in verse 30 ... it is my favorite line in the whole story.

John 19

16 Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus away.

17 Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha).

18 There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them.

19 And Pilate posted a sign over him that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”

20 The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that many people could read it.

21 Then the leading priests objected and said to Pilate, “Change it from ‘The King of the Jews’ to ‘He said, I am King of the Jews.’”

22 Pilate replied, “No, what I have written, I have written.”

23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.

24 So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it.” This fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.” So that is what they did.

25 Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene.

26 When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.”

27 And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.

28 Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.”

29 A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips.

30 When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and released his spirit.

Free* Part 6

This past weekend, we completed the Free* series with a celebration and a reminder.

I invite you to reread the story Jonathan used in the message this past weekend. You can find it in Matthew 14:22-33. Here are the verses I wanted to focus on.

Matthew 14

28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”

29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.

30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

So many of you, through this Free series, have begun to walk toward Jesus. You have experienced something you thought was impossible ... freedom from fear or bitterness or rejection. Keep your eyes on Jesus. When you are tempted to look at the “wind and the waves” (the lies you once bought into), resist the enemy and keep walking toward Jesus. If you happen to slip, ask Jesus to pick you up and start walking again. This was never intended to just be a six-week experience. It is an invitation to reengage in a journey that will take a lifetime.

John 18

Today, I am reading John 18. I invite you to open your Bible and read along with me or find it online here.

Here are the verses/thoughts that stood out to me...

John 18

4 Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them. “Who are you looking for?” he asked.

5 “Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied. “I Am he,” Jesus said.

Another reminder that Jesus was in complete control of His own sacrifice. I pray I remember that the next time I face a challenging situation ... Jesus is in complete control.

10 Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave.

I, like Peter, have sometimes carelessly hurt others with my attempts to “defend” Jesus. Instead of careless defenders, Jesus needs followers who provide examples of the same grace and humility and control and trust that He displayed in this moment.

25 Meanwhile, as Simon Peter was standing by the fire warming himself, they asked him again, “You’re not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it, saying, “No, I am not.”

Peter catches a lot of flak for being the one to deny following Jesus; but I know there have been many times when I have done things or said things that express a similar denial.

37 Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”

38 “What is truth?” Pilate asked. Then he went out again to the people and told them, “He is not guilty of any crime.

It saddens me every time I read this passage ... watching Pilate cynically reject Jesus’ offer of truth. I am sad for Pilate; but even more so, I am saddened by the friends that I have that are currently turning away from that same truth. I pray they will learn to love the truth and recognize Jesus as the one that offers it.

John 17

Today, I am reading John 17. I invite you to open your Bible and read along with me or find it online here.

Here are the verses/thoughts that stood out to me...

John 17

15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.

One of the natural inclinations we have as Jesus followers is to withdraw from the things of this “world”; but that isn’t what Jesus did and it isn’t what He wanted for us. I would love to have had the opportunity to watch (and learn) as Jesus interacted with some of the more well known “sinners” of His day. He was able to maintain obedience to God while extending grace to “sinners”. I love that about Him and pray I become more like that ... more obedient and more gracious.

20 I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.

As a Jesus follower, did you know that Jesus prayed for you? A very cool thought.

23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.

Do you know what Jesus prayed for? That we, as Jesus followers, would get along. Jesus just taught the disciples about this (John 13:34-35) and now He is praying we would all be able to express it.

John 16

Today, I am reading John 16. I invite you to open your Bible and read along with me or find it online here.

Here is the verse/thought that stood out to me...

John 16

1 I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith.

I appreciate the fact that Jesus understands there will be moments when we might want to abandon our faith.

22 So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.

For us, we rejoice when we discover the truth about Jesus’ death and resurrection. I pray that the joy of that moment is never stolen.

33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

Again, I appreciate Jesus’ honesty. In terms of our journey as Jesus followers, this might be the most important one we ever encounter. The reality is that we will face some overwhelming, potentially faith-ending challenges on our journey ... when you do, remember that Jesus’ death and resurrection have overcome this world. The phrase I like to use is, “In the end, God wins”.

John 15

Today, I am reading John 15. I invite you to open your Bible and read along with me or find it online here.

Here are the verses/thoughts that stood out to me...

John 15

5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

Beyond saving us, God wants to transform us. Jesus described it here as producing fruit in our lives ... outward demonstrations of an inward change. Paul would later write about this topic and described the fruit as, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22,23) The key to this transformation is “remaining” in Jesus. The key to “remaining” is learning to trust and obey His teachings more and more every day.

18 If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.

This is such an important reminder. Your journey with Jesus won’t always be accepted by others with open arms. When that happens, remember that its not about you.

Free* Part 5

This past weekend, we continued the Free* series with a guided prayer experience.

There were a lot of really cool elements to the experience; but one really stood out to me. It was when we talked about “fighting” for the freedom of others. Most of this series has been helping us discover the freedom Jesus came to offer; but freedom like this is too good not to share. So, as in the experience, I would encourage you to take a moment to pray for a friend or a family member or a coworker or a neighbor that has never experienced freedom ... and keep “fighting” for them on a daily basis. Seriously, take a minute and do it right now.

John 14

Today, I am reading John 14. I invite you to open your Bible and read along with me or find it online here.

Here are the verses/thoughts that stood out to me...

John 14

1 Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.

2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?

3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.

Death is a reality; but thankfully, it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming reality or a fearful reality. Jesus offers us a very important promise ... an eternal home with Him in heaven; but it comes with an important requirement ... trust in God and Jesus. If you have never put your trust in Jesus, I would love to talk with you about it. You can email me at jeff@myeastside.cc.

15 If you love me, obey my commandments.

The word “obey” has developed a very negative connotation. We fear it will steal our independence or rob us of some freedom. Jesus’ request is not a response to fear ... it is a response in love. Our obedience to Jesus should flow out of our love for Jesus.

John 13

Today, I am reading John 13. I invite you to open your Bible and read along with me or find it online here.

Here are the verses/thoughts that stood out to me...

John 13

14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet.

15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.

In the midst of this same moment, Luke writes about an argument the disciples were having, “Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them.” (Luke 22:24) You can see why Jesus felt the need to provide a visual example of what He wants from us ... service and humility.

34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.

Jesus was raising the stake here. Before, Jesus reiterated God’s command to “‘Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31, Leviticus 19:18); and now, He is teaching that we should love ... “as I have loved you.” That’s different. My love is corrupted by my selfishness. His love is sacrificial and unconditional.

35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.

It isn’t the number of times we go to church or the number of verses in the Bible we have memorized that prove to the world we are followers of Jesus. It is the way we treat each other. A reminder that actions always speak louder than words.

John 12

Today, I am reading John 12. I invite you to open your Bible and read along with me or find it online here.

Here is the verse/thought that stood out to me...

John 12

25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.

I love the way Dr. Thomas Constable explains this verse, “Anyone who selfishly lives for himself or herself loses his or her life in the sense that he or she wastes it. Nothing really good comes from it. Conversely anyone who hates his or her life in the sense of disregarding one's own desires to pursue the welfare of another will gain something for that sacrifice. He or she will gain true life for self and blessing for the other person.” Has your life demonstrated a “love” or a “hate” for your life?

John 11 (Part 2)

Today, I am finishing up John 11. I invite you to open your Bible and read along with me or find it online here.

Here are the verses/thoughts that stood out to me...

John 11

35 Then Jesus wept.

Growing up, we would always joke about having memorized this verse because it wasn’t much of a challenge being the shortest verse in the Bible. However, one evening while I was still in college, I was reading through this story for the first time in a long time and as I got to this part of the story I actually started crying too. I knew Jesus wasn’t crying because Lazarus had died ... He was going to reverse that. In that moment, I felt the true humanity of Jesus. More specifically, His great love for humanity in understanding the pain that moments like this cause. Later on, a friend also reminded me that His tears flowed from a deep anger at sin which causes moments like that. My prayer for you is that you too would memorize this verse; and that every time you recall it, you will remember how much Jesus loves you and how much He hates sin.

43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!”

44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”

Just in case you didn’t know how the story ended, Jesus demonstrated His power over death. I love the phrase ... “let him go!” I know Jesus was talking about the graveclothes he had been wrapped in; but there is also a reflection of how Jesus speaks toward sin and death regarding us ... “let them go!”

Free* Part 4

This past weekend, Jonathan continued the Free* series by talking about the blahs, breaks, blues and blessings of our freedom journey.

Here is the verse/thought that stood out to me in the message...

Joshua 21

43 So the Lord gave to Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there.

44 And the Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had solemnly promised their ancestors. None of their enemies could stand against them, for the Lord helped them conquer all their enemies.

45 Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true.

I pray that this past weekend’s message provided some insight in your journey ... insight that will encourage you to keep moving forward in your journey toward true freedom (especially when you are experiencing the “blahs” or the “blues”). Along the way, I pray that you will discover that God always fulfills His promises’.

John 11

Today, I am reading John 11. I invite you to open your Bible and read along with me or find it online here.

Here are the verses/thoughts that stood out to me...

John 11

21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.

22 But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.”

I appreciate Martha’s faith in the face of such loss. You never know how you will react to a tragic situation, until it is forced upon you; but this is the way I pray I would respond.

25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.

26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”

An extremely important statement and an even more important question.

27 “Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.”

This is possibly the most important verse in this book so I am going to pause right here in the middle of the chapter (we’ll finish it on Thursday).

If you have never made this confession in your life, please email me (jeff@myeastside.cc). I would love to talk with you about it.

If you have, I encourage you to reflect on that moment when you first experienced grace and say a simple prayer. Here is the one I prayed, “Father, thank you for Jesus and the grace you offer through Him. I pray that you would help (a friend of yours that doesn’t know Jesus) come to know Jesus the way I do and accept the same gift of grace that I have.”

John 10

Today, I am reading John 10. I invite you to open your Bible and read along with me or find it online here.

Here are the verses/thoughts that stood out to me...

John 10

4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.

We need to “know” God’s voice. I’m not talking about recognizing His voice on the phone. I’m talking about recognizing His “voice”, among the gut feelings we have floating around in our own heads and the advice we hear from others, by making sure our gut feelings and the advice we receive matches up with what He teaches.

10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

Remember, we face an enemy that is destructive ... so don’t take his lies lightly. Thankfully, we don’t face him alone; but this is why it is so important to be familiar with Jesus’ teachings ... so you can know you are following the right voice.

18 No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.

I appreciate the reminder that Jesus was in control the whole time. He had a plan and followed it ... sacrificially and obediently.

John 9

I know that I am always trying to get you to read along with me; but seriously, you should read through John 9. It is one of my favorite scenes in the life of Jesus. You can read it online here.

Here are some of the verses/thoughts that stood out to me...

John 9

2 “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?”

3 “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.

I love Jesus’ focus ... this situation can be used to glorify God. I would like to have/maintain that same focus when facing difficult situations.

25 “I don’t know whether he is a sinner,” the man replied. “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!”

It can be difficult telling others about your experiences in following Jesus. Like the Jewish leaders, some may want to question everything. Like this man’s family, some may distance themselves from you because they fear the opinion of others. That is why I love this man’s response so much. He was basically saying, “I don’t know how Jesus did it and I really don’t care. I know that my life is different because of Him.” Sometimes that is the best answer you can offer.